Illuminating stuffed toy

ABSTRACT

An illuminating stuffed toy is provided having a body portion with a fabric casing having light diffusing properties. The toy has an interior cavity within the body portion for housing an illuminating means including a strand of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A means is provided including at least one flexible sheet, for supporting and maintaining LEDs in a fixed two-dimensional position in a plane within the interior cavity that is moveable toward or away from the casing. The supporting means and fabric casing are aligned to permit light to travel from the light emitting diodes through the casing such that the toy illuminates to imitate a depicted character.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to toys and more particularly to a stuffed toy imitating an animal, person or figure having a portion that illuminates for the amusement of children.

2. Description of the Related Art

Children everywhere are entertained by plush toys. Plush toys that illuminate are even more fascinating for youngsters and can provide hours of enjoyment both in light and dark spaces. The illuminating toy of the present invention is combined with a unique plush pillow imitating a lovable character and together provides an ideal sleep aid. Conventional illuminating toys function with lights randomly suspended within the plush toy. While this art is functional, it does not further the functional design and aesthetic tributes of an illuminating plush toy, nor does it inherently suit the purpose of the present device. The present invention provides a functional means of housing the illumination means properly within the device and also provides additional amusement and comfort.

While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, conventional illuminating devices are not suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a stuffed toy that imitates the appearance of an animal, person or figure having a portion that illuminates to create a soothing soft glow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating toy that has a plush pillow casing for comfortably aiding a child in falling asleep.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating stuffed toy that a child may freely squish, bend, bang, throw, lie on, fold, flex, and hug without disrupting the positioning of light emitting diodes (LEDs) therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means within an interior cavity of the toy for supporting and two dimensionally restricting the position of LEDs therein such that the LEDs are sandwiched between an upper and lower membrane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy wherein the supporting means is aligned with the fabric casing such that the diodes fixed within the supporting means emit light through predetermined illuminating areas of the stuffed toy, while being held in a fixed two dimensional position within a plane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a timing means for automatically turning off the illuminating portion of the toy after a predetermined amount of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy that fosters a peaceful and beautiful environment for falling asleep.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy with an illuminating means capable of emitting light outwardly from the toy substantially 360 degrees, while simultaneously imitating an animal standing up.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a toy is provided which emits a soft glow. The toy includes a body portion having a fabric casing with a predetermined light diffusing area, and at least one flexible sheet housed within the body portion for maintaining light emitting diodes in a fixed position in a plane. Herein, the light emitting diodes align with the light diffusing area of the casing. The at least one flexible sheet is fixed two-dimensional position in the plane and moveable toward or away from the casing.

In accordance with an additional embodiment a toy is provided that emits a soft glow having a body portion having a fabric casing with light diffusing properties. The toy includes at least one interior cavity within the body portion. Illuminating means is provided for emitting light, housed within the at least one interior cavity. Means is provided for supporting and maintaining the illuminating means in a fixed two-dimensional position in a plane within the interior cavity. The supporting means supports the illuminating means such that the illuminating means is aligned with the fabric casing.

The fabric casing of the toy has an outside surfaces having at least one predetermined illuminating area and an inside surface.

The predetermined illuminating area of the toy is at least in part substantially translucent.

The supporting means of the toy supports the illuminating means such that the illuminating means is aligned with the predetermined illuminating area of the fabric casing.

The illuminating means of the toy includes a strand of at least two light emitting diodes fastened together by a connecting wire within the at least one interior cavity. The supporting means of the toy includes an upper membrane having at least two diode openings for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough, and having a lower membrane for sandwiching the connecting wire between the upper and lower membranes, and wherein the at least two diode openings are larger than the diodes.

The illuminating means of the toy includes a strand having at least one light emitting diode fastened thereto by a connecting wire within the at least one interior cavity. The supporting means includes at least one flexible sheet having at least one diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough.

The toy includes a pressure sensitive switching means within the body portion configured to turn on and turn off the illuminating means.

The toy includes circuit means within the body portion having a timing circuit activated by actuating the pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.

The toy includes a power source operably connected to the illumination means and the circuit means within the body portion of the toy.

The toy includes a manual switching means operably connected with the circuit means and the power source for allowing the pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off the illuminating means, and activate the timing circuit for turning off the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.

The outside surface of the toy includes a hook and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion of the toy to fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a stuffed toy is provided which emits a soft glow. The toy includes a body portion having a fabric casing including an outside surface having at least one predetermined illuminating area with light diffusing properties and an inside surface. The toy includes at least one interior cavity within the body portion. Illuminating means is provided for emitting light, having a strand of at least one light emitting diode fastened by a connecting wire and housed within the at least one interior cavity. Means is provided for supporting and maintaining the illuminating means in a fixed two-dimensional position in a plane within the interior cavity. The supporting means includes at least one flexible sheet having at least one diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough, and wherein the at least one diode opening is larger than the diode. The supporting means supports the illuminating means such that the diodes are aligned with the predetermined illuminating areas of the fabric casing. A pressure sensitive switching means is provided within the body portion and is configured to turn on and off the illuminating means. A circuit means within the body portion has timing means activated by actuating the pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time. A power source operably connected with the illuminating means and the circuit means is provided within the body portion of the stuffed toy. Pressure on the pressure sensitive switching means activates the power source, furnishing current to the diodes such that light emitted therefrom within the body portion is directed against the inside surface of the fabric casing, resulting in at least one softly backlit illuminating area at the outside surface of the fabric casing.

The at least one flexible sheet of the toy is moveable toward or away from the casing.

The toy includes a manual switching means operably connected to the circuit means and the power source for allowing the pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off the illuminating means, and activate the timing circuit for turning off the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.

The outside surface of the toy includes a hook and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion to fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an illuminating stuffed toy as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the illuminating stuffed toy of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of supporting means for supporting light emitting diodes of the illuminating stuffed toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the illuminating stuffed toy of FIG. 1 standing up via a hook and loop fastener;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the interior cavity of the stuffed toy of FIG. 1 wherein upper and lower membranes of the supporting means are illustrated; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a compartment for housing circuit means, timing means and power source of the illuminating stuffed toy of FIG. 1.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the present invention directed to a stuffed or plush toy 10 for entertaining children. For purposes of this description, a form of the invention involving a stuffed dog animal will be used, though the present invention applies to alternate imitations including but not limited to animals, people, figurines, objects and other forms of stuffed toys, as well as alternate shapes and sizes.

FIG. 1 illustrates the toy 10 including a head 11 and a body portion 12 having at least one interior cavity 14 and a fabric casing having light diffusing properties. Preferably, the casing 16 is made of fabric, mesh, plastic, or other like material. The interior cavity 14 is housed within the casing 16 having an outside surface 18 and an inside surface 20. The outside surface 18 has at least one predetermined illuminating area 22 that is preferably at least in part substantially translucent. Other areas of the outside surface 18 may be opaque, and/or partially translucent. Preferably, the outside surface 18 of the casing 16 is a soft plush fabric pillow or mesh material configured to limit transmission of light to a soft glow for subtly depicting a well-known animal, character, figure or image.

The different areas of the outside surface 18 of the casing 16 selectively illuminate to varying degrees, or remain completely dark, based on material chosen. This allows the casing 16 of the body portion 12 to highlight different colors, shapes or designs of the character being imitated by the toy. For example, if the toy 10 is a ladybug stuffed animal, the outside surface of the casing 16 may include a plurality of opaque black dots that prohibited light from shining through, with all areas in between being translucent red material. When the body portion of the ladybug illuminates, all translucent red material areas will glow and the black dots will remain dark thereby illustrating a glowing ladybug stuffed animal.

FIG. 2 illustrates the illuminating means 30 housed within the interior cavity 14 for emitting light through the toy. The illuminating means 30 is preferably a strand of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 32 fastened together by a connecting wire 34. The LEDs may be white or any other color, and based on the design considerations may or may not be the same color throughout the entire strand. In the preferred embodiment, the illuminating means 30 is designed about means 36 for supporting and maintaining the LEDs in a fixed, two dimensional, position in a plane that is moveable toward or away from the casing 16. The means 36 restricts the positioning of the LEDs within the toy, such that movement of the LEDs is fixed within the interior cavity 14 when a child plays with the body portion 12 of the toy 10. The child may freely squish, bend, bang, throw, lie on, fold, flex, and hug, for example, the toy 10 without disrupting the alignment of the LEDs within the interior cavity 14. In an alternate embodiment, the illuminating means includes a strand having at least one light emitting diode fastened thereto by a connecting wire within said at least one interior cavity.

FIG. 3 illustrates the plush outside surface 18 of the casing 16 of the toy including a hook and loop fastener 18A for substantially allowing the body portion 12 of the toy 10 to fold in half, thereby depicting the imitated animal standing up. This provides the illuminating means 30 the ability to emit light outwardly in substantially a 360-degree pattern, while simultaneously imitating an animal standing up.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the body portion illustrating the supporting means 36, made up of at least one flexible sheet, foil, screen, membrane or other like material. In the preferred embodiment, the support means includes an upper membrane 38 and a lower membrane 40 made of lightweight thin mesh fabric. The upper membrane 38 includes a plurality of openings 42, larger in circumference than each diode, for accepting a diode therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, when the supporting means 36 is one flexible sheet, there includes at least one opening 42 for accepting diodes therethrough.

Preferably during assembly, the strand of LEDs 32 is positioned about a custom made jig or pattern support tool. The jig is used to control the location of the LEDs before being sandwiched between the membranes 38, 40. A plurality of different jigs is designed for accommodating different kinds of toys 10 of the present invention. For example, the ladybug stuffed animal with illuminating translucent red material and opaque black dots, as discussed supra, is created by having a corresponding jig for appropriately positioning the LEDs 32 within the supporting means 36 before placement within the interior cavity 14 of the body portion 12 of the toy 10. By appropriately aligning the LEDs of the supporting means with the corresponding fabric casing a realistic imitation is achieved. A dog stuffed toy will have its own corresponding jig, which may be different from the jig used for the ladybug toy, and both may be different from other characters or shapes, depending on the selected character, casing design and glowing areas.

After the jig positions the LEDs for the specific toy being created, the strand of LEDs 32 is placed on the lower membrane 40. Then the upper membrane 38 is placed on top of the lower membrane 40 and sandwiches the connecting wire 34 therebetween, while allowing the LEDs to extend up through the openings 42 in the upper membrane 38. The upper and lower membranes 38, 40 of the supporting means 36 are substantially attached at predetermined locations preferably by a heat-sealing method. The method creates a plurality of dashed heat sealed lines 44 forming channels 46 horizontally across the means 36. These channels 46 hold the connecting wire 34 in elongated position, and prohibit the LEDs from moving horizontally or vertically from the designated openings 42. Together the LEDs of the supporting means 36 and the fabric casing 16 are aligned to guide emitted light from the LEDs through the predetermined illuminating areas 22 of the casing to achieve optimum illumination.

The supporting means 36 together with the illuminating means 30 described above is placed within the interior cavity 14 of the body portion 12 of the toy 10. Additional plush stuffing may be inserted into the cavity 14 around the supporting means 36. In alternate embodiments, the supporting 36 and illuminating means 30 may be inserted into different portions of the toy as desired, for example into the head, face, legs, tail or any other portion or combination thereof.

A pressure sensitive switching means 50 of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1, is used to turn on and off the illuminating means 30. Preferably, the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is a button inserted into the interior cavity 14 at a predetermined location, depicted by a corresponding symbol shown on the outside surface 19 of the casing so that children recognize where the actuation button is located and where to depress for activating and deactivating illumination of the toy 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates a compartment 62 for housing a circuit means 52, having a timing means 56. The circuit means and timing means 52, 56 are in operably connected to the pressure sensitive switching means 50. When activated by the pressure sensitive switching means 50, the timing means 56 automatically turns off the illuminating means 30 after a predetermined amount of time, unless the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is depressed again to turn the toy 10 off sooner. The circuit means 52 has at least one, but preferably three setting positions, independently activated by a manual switching means 54. The first position is “timer,” the second position is “on,” and the third position is “off.” When the switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the “timing” position, depressing the pressure sensitive switching means 50 activates the timing means 56 and allows the illuminating means 30 to emit light for a predetermined amount of time before automatically turning off. When the switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the “on” position, the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is manually depressed to selectively turn on and off the illumination means 30. When the switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the “off” position, power is not supplied to the illuminating means 30, thus keeping the toy from illuminating regardless of whether the pressure switching means 50 is depressed.

A power source 60 is included within the body portion 12 of the toy and is operably connected to the illumination means 30 and the circuit means 52 for illuminating said illumination means 30. In the preferred embodiment, the power source 60 is housed within the compartment 62 within the interior cavity 14 of the body portion 12 of the toy 10. The power source 60 can be for example, but not limited to, one or more batteries, a watch battery, AA or AAA alkaline batteries, or a lithium battery. Preferably, the compartment 62 houses three “AAA” batteries, held in position between spacers. The batteries are secured within the compartment by a holder plate 64 that provides closure to the compartment 62. Different power source compartments, configurations and sources are contemplated, including an arrangement that supplies different voltages, including but not limited to, solar power, wind power, chemical power, DC power sources, rechargeable batteries, and AC adapters with jack and power.

The compartment 62 is easily reached within the body portion 12, preferably by a zipper 12A, for changing the batteries or changing the setting of the manual switching means 54.

When the manual switching means 54 is in the “on” or “timing” position and the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is depressed, the power source 60 is automatically activated and furnishes current to the LEDs such that light emitted therefrom within the interior cavity 14 is directed against the inner surface of the casing 16, resulting in at least one softly backlit illuminating area 22 at the outside surface of the casing 16. When the manual switching means 54 is in the “off” position, the power source 60 is blocked from activation.

In conclusion, herein is presented the illuminating stuffed toy for emitting a soft glow. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. While only one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body portion having a fabric casing with a predetermined light diffusing area; and at least one flexible sheet housed within said body portion for maintaining light emitting diodes in a fixed position in a plane, wherein said light emitting diodes align with said light diffusing area of said casing.
 2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the at least one flexible sheet is fixed in a two-dimensional position in said plane and moveable toward or away from said casing.
 3. A toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body portion having a fabric casing with light diffusing properties; at least one interior cavity within said body portion; illuminating means for emitting light, housed within said at least one interior cavity; and means for supporting and maintaining said illuminating means in a fixed two dimensional position in a plane within said interior cavity, wherein said supporting means supports said illuminating means such that said illuminating means is aligned with said fabric casing.
 4. The toy of claim 3 wherein said fabric casing has an outside surfaces having at least one predetermined illuminating area and an inside surface.
 5. The toy of claim 4 wherein said predetermined illuminating area is at least in part substantially translucent.
 6. The toy of claim 5 wherein said supporting means supports said illuminating means such that said illuminating means is aligned with said predetermined illuminating area of said fabric casing.
 7. The toy of claim 3 wherein said illuminating means includes a strand of at least two light emitting diodes fastened together by a connecting wire within said at least one interior cavity.
 8. The toy of claim 7 wherein said supporting means includes an upper membrane having at least two diode openings for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough, and having a lower membrane for sandwiching said connecting wire between said upper and lower membranes, and wherein the at least two diode openings are larger than said diodes.
 9. The toy of claim 3 wherein said illuminating means includes a strand having at least one light emitting diode fastened thereto by a connecting wire within said at least one interior cavity.
 10. The toy of claim 9 wherein said supporting means includes at least one flexible sheet having at least one diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough.
 11. The toy of claim 3 further comprising pressure sensitive switching means within said body portion configured to turn on and turn off said illuminating means.
 12. The toy of claim 11 further comprising circuit means within the body portion having a timing circuit activated by actuating said pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off said illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
 13. The toy of claim 12 further comprising a power source operably connected to said illumination means and said circuit means within said body portion of said toy.
 14. The toy of claim 13 further comprising a manual switching means operably connected with said circuit means and said power source for allowing said pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off said illuminating means, and activate said timing circuit for turning off said illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
 15. The toy of claim 4 wherein the outside surface includes a hook and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion of the toy to fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.
 16. A stuffed toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body portion having a fabric casing including an outside surface having at least one predetermined illuminating area with light diffusing properties and an inside surface; at least one interior cavity within said body portion; illuminating means for emitting light, having a strand of at least one light emitting diode fastened by a connecting wire and housed within said at least one interior cavity; means for supporting and maintaining said illuminating means in a fixed two dimensional position in a plane within said interior cavity, including at least one flexible sheet having at least one diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough, and wherein the at least one diode opening is larger than said diode, wherein said supporting means supports said illuminating means such that said diodes are aligned with said predetermined illuminating areas of said fabric casing; pressure sensitive switching means within said body portion configured to turn on and off said illuminating means; circuit means within said body portion having timing means activated by actuating said pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off said illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time; and a power source operably connected with said illuminating means and said circuit means within said body portion of said stuffed toy, whereby pressure on said pressure sensitive switching means activates said power source, furnishing current to said diodes such that light emitted therefrom within said body portion is directed against said inside surface of said fabric casing, resulting in at least one softly backlit illuminating area at said outside surface of said fabric casing.
 17. The toy of claim 16 wherein the at least one flexible sheet is moveable toward or away from said casing.
 18. The toy of claim 16 further comprising a manual switching means operably connected to said circuit means and said power source for allowing said pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off said illuminating means, and activate said timing circuit for turning off said illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
 19. The toy of claim 16 wherein the outside surface includes a hook and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion to fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern. 